Conference misery::feline_v1

    That was so kind of you, Lynn.  Do you think the Wildlife Fish & Game
    Dept. could help with the injured fox?  Maybe catch and bring it to be
    treated and turning it loose when well?  Otherwise, he could end up 
    being crippled and having to survive on easier prey - pets or even
    starving to death or dying from infection.
    
    Keep us posted.
    Pat
    

    
     
      You might also want to give the Animal Rescue League a call,
    i'm not sure if the # is still valid - 617-426-9170.
    
    

    Or a hav-a-heart trap?
    
    Bon

    I would not use a Hav-A-Hart trap with a fox unless you know
    exactly how to deal with a wild animal vs a cat. A "hurt" wild 
    animal is not  something to trap - because if it should bite, 
    you don't know what diseases it may have.
    
    Call the State wildlife division, or Animal Rescue League - let
    the experts handle this one. It is sad tho - I agree. You might
    also call the Audubon Society in Lincoln, MA. There are so many
    wild fox around now that they are starving, and subsequently scrawny
    and sick. I believe the Wildlife (Fish and Game?) will end up shooting
    it as I know that is what they have done in similar cases. It is sad
    but less cruel than letting it suffer. Once in a while tho the Audubon
    Society will take it, nurse it, and use it on their farm.   
                 

    Our vet said that most of the fox population is infected with
    rabies/ticks/distemper.  They need to be given a wide birth 
    when dealing with them.
    
    Definately call one of the agencies to get some help for this
    poor animal. One way or another he deserves help.
    
    Barbara

>    Our vet said that most of the fox population is infected with
>    rabies/ticks/distemper.  They need to be given a wide birth 
>    when dealing with them.
    
if true, then the cat that was fighting with the fox is in danger and could
become a vector for spreading problems to other cats.  Watch it carefully.

    From what I understand from my local police - the situation right now 
    is that if the animal which is roaming during the day is usually a 
    nocturnal animal (such as raccoom, skunk - I think fox fit this
    category too) then it probably has distemper. If this happened at night, 
    then the animal probably doesn't have the rabies or distemper just YET -
    but that could change at any time.  I don't believe rabies has shown up
    in this area yet (west of Boston) but it is expected to surface later this
    summer.  I would still alert the proper authorities and let them handle
    it. Also, you might want to notify your vet as he may want a report
    from  the authorities  who capture or destroy this fox. It may affect 
    the treatment your cat requires. 
    
    Just as an added note- I have a 17 year old horse and had his mother
    before he was born, and a pony before her, and never vaccinated them
    for rabies - although they received all their other preventative shots.
    This year EVERY HORSE at our stable reeived a rabies shot. It is an ominous 
    sign of what is coming into the area.   
                                                                        

    If you know who owns the cat please tell them that they should
    contact their vet right away.

    I notified the owner of the cat that night (nice phonecall
    to get at 10:00pm! :-)) and some of the other neighbors
    yesterday.  No sign of the fox last night.  I'll be looking
    for him tonight.....
    
    Lynne

    The limp is gone, and s/he is looking very good.  
    S/he stops by every night at around 9:30-10:00pm, 
    looking for her handout.  I have been leaving two
    dog biscuits at the base of a certain tree.  And,
    I guess they are not kidding when they say, "smart
    as a fox", because if s/he doesn't find anything, 
    s/he curls up and waits!  I had put some old peanuts
    in the shell out for the squirrels while I was placing the
    dog biscuits....I heard this loud crunching sound, so
    I looked out.  The fox was eating the peanuts!!  I guess
    s/he was VERY hungry.  So, I spread two sandwich rolls
    with butter and threw them out to the fox.  S/he likes
    bread & butter! :-)
    
    Lynne

now that the foot is better, you must start weaning your fox off "people
food" so he/she will go back to hunting as nature intended.  The food you
give isn't the best nutrition for a fox and once the animal gets used to and
dependent on you, there is a great chance that he/she will get too bold
and approach other humans...which could lead to the necessity to have the
animal destroyed.  Once the fear of humans is destoyed in a wild predator,
the animal is unfit to allow around human habitation...they begin to
prey on domestic pets and livestock and offer a real threat to children.

    I agree. I also don't think natural instinct would allow this animal
    to starve either. You already know he likes to pick fights w/ kitties
    (or vice-versa), so giving him the "boot" may be the best thing!
    
    You animal lover, you!
    
    Bonnie